DCU - New BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability

DCU has launched a new specialist environmental geography course that is ideal for students who are deeply concerned about climate change, our environment and fascinated by how we affect the landscape and how the landscape affects us. 

The new BA in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability takes a dual approach that is not just about understanding climate change and its consequences, but also about understanding how the environment itself offers solutions. You will learn how to prioritise and implement nature-based solutions, which could involve, for example, supporting biodiversity or natural land use such as retaining flood plains. 

One factor that distinguishes this course is how it encompasses different disciplines. Not only will you learn topics such as physical geography, climate science and biogeography, but you will also study the social aspects of climate change and become skilled in data analysis. Working geographers must be data-literate as they use spatial analysis and mapping technologies, so the programme has been designed to mirror real-world practice.  

Darren Clarke, Assistant Professor, DCU School of History and Geography, and Programme Chair, BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability said: “This course offers a new way of teaching, a new way of learning and a new way of answering the call the environment and the world is putting on this generation. Throughout the course, you will learn how to understand the key issues and you will be able to go in and inform policy and take action, whether that will be within industry, government or wider society.”

Learning rooted in real challenges

With only 20 students on the course, we aim to develop a tightly-knit learning community. You will frequently work in teams on engaging challenges based on real data and reflecting issues based on those encountered by industry, the public sector and non-governmental organisations, and will frequently meet and hear from industry partners.

You will learn and understand by ‘doing’ through immersive learning approaches such as hackathons, sprints, gamification and challenge-based team learning. You’ll also have the option of a year-long work placement or a year abroad between year two and year three, but can progress directly from year two to three if you prefer. 

A future-facing qualification 

Graduates from this course will have the skillsets of both natural and social scientists, and understand how both can work together. This ability to bridge two worlds is a must-have for anyone seeking to have real impact in addressing climate and environmental challenges. Furthermore, with data literacy built in throughout the programme, you will find your skills are much sought after now and in the future.  

Careers

This course will equip you to pursue careers specifically focused on climate change and the environment in both public and private sectors in roles such as climate scientist, sustainability manager, environmental consultant, conservation manager and more.

The environment needs you

Climatechange is not only the defining issue of our generation but also of the next generation. Humans have caused so much damage and disruption to our global environment that our own existence is now at stake, as are those of many animals and natural habitats around the world. It is vital that humanity acts to address this issue and the world needs trained experts who can help. To find out more about this course at DCU see www.dcu.ie/DC294